If you’re wondering about how typhoons and hurricanes are formed, what are some of the strongest and deadliest typhoons and hurricanes in the world, then consider reading this article.
In a few minutes, were going to look at the general and essential things you need to know about typhoons and hurricanes. Specifically, this article contains overall information about what a typhoon and hurricane is, what their differences are. Next is how are they formed and where they are formed. The aftermath of this phenomenon will also be covered. Lastly, this article will cite some important safety measures to keep you and your love ones safe during a typhoon or hurricane.
Let’s start by talking about typhoons and hurricanes. The term “typhoon” refers to an extremely powerful and destructive storm. Typhoons and hurricanes are the same weather phenomenon, they are both termed as tropical cyclones. Tropical cyclones have different names that vary depending on its strength and location around the world. A tropical cyclone is called a hurricane in North Atlantic and eastern Pacific Ocean; in the Indian Ocean, it is called a cyclone; and in the western Pacific, it is termed as typhoon. Despite it having different terms, tropical cyclones have similar mechanisms.
The western Pacific has for quite some time been known for brewing the most serious tropical systems anyplace in the planet. A typhoon and/or a hurricane is a huge storm that generally forms in warm ocean waters near the equator. In tropical seas, the water in the sea’s surface layer warmed by the direct sun based radiation which result in the air having high temperature and moisture. The warm air above the ocean moves upward creating an area of low pressure (LPA) below. Cool air from the surrounding areas moves in and try to fill that area with low air pressure which becomes warm and rises. As the moist air rises, the surrounding air tries to fill in again.
This process repeats until the water and the air forms clouds. Soon the clouds and wind spin around driven by the ocean’s heat and water vapor. This causes the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of a hurricane, the Coriolis Effect is also responsible for this. The Coriolis Effect is a force in the typhoon which gives way to its motion due to earth’s rotation. It is responsible for the pattern of bending or spinning motion taken by entities that are not linked to the ground and is moving in long distances above the earth.
When we view it from the top, typhoons and hurricanes can be as huge as 300 miles wide. The center of the hurricane is called the eye of the hurricane which is the most dangerous part. The eyewall surrounds the eye with the most damaging winds of force. It can range anywhere from 5-30 miles. Then comes the rainbands which surround the eyewall. These bands are a series of dense clouds that give a spin wheel like appearance to the hurricane which range from 50-300 miles.
Again, typhoons and hurricanes is formed in oceans with warmer water which is obviously near the equator. And that is why the western Pacific, which is located near the equator, has been known as one of the most active region for tropical cyclone formation. In the Philippines, typhoons are common as it is located near the equator and western Pacific. The term “typhoon” is widely used in the Philippines to refer any tropical systems. The country’s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration develop its own classification of tropical systems.
There are four classification created by the JTWC which is based on wind speed, these are as follows: Tropical depression, system with > 61 kph wind speed; Tropical storm, 62-117 kph; Typhoon, wind speed greater than 117 kph, and Supertyphoons, are systems with greater than 241 kph wind speed. [4: It is a Philippine national institution; its purpose is to provide warnings for flood, typhoon, public weather forecasts and advisories, meteorological, astronomical, and any other specialized information and services primarily for the protection of life and property and in support of economic, productivity and sustainable development.
In PAGASA’s classification, typhoons are divided into four categories, depending on the speed of their winds. Every categories have different impact or damage. Category three, and four are the most dangerous ones. In category one, the wind speed is around 30-60 kph which brings minimal damage to infrastructures and to exposed communities. Although it is just tropical depressions, it may still affect the agriculture in localities close to the cyclone. Category two is classified to have a 60-100 kph wind speed. This category brings moderate damage to the environment.
Some trees may become uprooted, old roofing and other light materials might be blown off. The wind speed in category three is an overwhelming 100-185 kph, usually, the tropical system in this wind speed is classified as a typhoon. This category brings massive damage to surroundings near the path of the typhoon. Trees are uprooted, exposed communities suffer heavy damage and causes electrical power disturbance. The fourth category brings the most damage. The wind speed in this category is a shocking 185 kph and above, these wind speed is equivalent to a typhoon and supertyphoon. This category is based on PAGASA’s Typhoon Signal Warnings.
Through the course of time, many typhoons have been formed. It ranges from different categories. There are numerous typhoons that are classified in category four, these supertyphoons has taken so many lives in certain parts of the world. Here are some of the strongest and deadliest typhoons all around the world. One of the catastrophic typhoon is Katrina, a hurricane in Southern United States which landfall on August 23-31, 2005. An exceptionally powerful Category 5 hurricane of record-setting intensity. This remain as one of the most devastating hurricanes in U.S. history. Another strong typhoon is Kate, also known as Sening, is a supertyphoon in the Philippines.
This is the second of four strongest supertyphoons in the Philippines. With a wind speed of 120-MPH (193-kmh), supertyphoon Kate destroyed 12 provinces on the northern islands of Luzon and Mindanao. Last is hurricane Iniki, a hurricane that landfall in Hawaii on 6-11 of September 1992. Iniki crushed the northwestern islands of Niihau, Kauai, and Oahu.[footnoteRef:9] This hurricane sustained a wind speed of 130-MPH or 209-kmh which is classified as category 4.
Typhoons and hurricanes can bring a heavy damage on land. After a typhoon hits a particular place, it leaves a devastating damage in the surrounding of that particular area. The aftermath is not great and is therefore bad. A typhoon is a natural phenomenon. I believe we can’t stop it from wreaking havoc everything in its path but I do believe that we can do something to minimize and avoid severe casualties by following a certain safety measure specifically made for weather phenomenon such as typhoons.
In order to assist and ensure the safety of you and your family, here are some safety preparations you need to know and follow in times where there are typhoons and/or hurricanes: First, understanding and keeping yourself updated to news. Having awareness on the weather forecast near the location of your residence will greatly help you take actions and be prepared beforehand. Know the evacuation centers in your area. Preparing a first-aid kit is advisable as it can come in handy when someone is injured, this is of course for treating minor injuries only.
During a typhoon you must stay indoors and be updated by watching the news. If the typhoon or hurricane is around Category 3 and 4, it is best to evacuate to your nearest evacuation center if it is still possible or safe to go outside, if not it is best to stay at home. And after the typhoon, you must still be careful as it is still dangerous to go outside. Watch out for livewires and any sharp objects that may harm you.
These are the essential things you need to know about typhoons. Knowing and understanding this natural phenomenon can help you to be safe when you encounter this kind of disaster.
